Lionel Messi is set to marry his long-term girlfriend Antonella Roccuzzo in 2017, according to sources close to the Barcelona star’s family.

The wedding is expected to be held in the Argentina international’s hometown of Rosario, where the pair first met when they were children through Messi’s close friend and Roccuzzo’s cousin Lucas Scaglia.

La Nacion reporter Juan Pablo Varsky broke the news during his radio show, saying the ceremony would take place next year, while a relative told La Capital: ‘It’s true, there’ll be a wedding the middle of next year.’

Lionel Messi is set to marry his childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo next year

The pair, who have been dating since 2008, are expected to hold the ceremony in Rosario

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It is thought the date could fall on Messi’s birthday on June 24. The 29-year-old is set to go on an end-of-season tour with Barcelona, but is expected to return to Rosario after its climax on June 12.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is expected to invite the entire Barcelona and Argentina squads to the big day, while a number of ex-team-mates will be in attendance too.

The cathedral in Rosario, Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, is the most likely venue, while the reception and party will be held at Messi’s family home.

The couple pose with their two children - Mateo, one, and Thiago, four - outside their home

Roccuzzo moved from Argentina to Spain in 2010 and the pair have been inseparable since

Roccuzzo and Messi, who started dating in 2008, already have two children - Thiago, four, and Mateo, one.

The Argentine model moved to Barcelona in 2010 and the pair have been inseparable since, with Messi helping her cope with the death of a close friend in Rosario just before she left for Spain.

Messi has been on tour with Barcelona in Qatar this week, where he finally met six-year-old Murtaza Ahmadi, the Afghan boy who was spotted wearing a plastic bag as a replica jersey with Messi's name earlier this year.

It is thought the wedding ceremony could take place on Messi's birthday, June 24, next year

Messi has been on duty with Barcelona this week as they took a mid-season trip to Qatar